A cumulative audience of four billion is expected to watch the Paralympic Games for the first time – with a record 154 countries offering coverage of the Rio event.

According to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the number of nations with rights to broadcast the Games has surged by 30 per cent from the 115 countries that caught coverage of the London 2012 Games.

London 2012 attracted 3.8bn cumulative viewers, but with new broadcasters on board – particularly in the US with NBC – that number is expected to be easily eclipsed.

Brazil hosting the event has created increased interest in South America, with Mexican telecommunications giant American Movil beaming coverage to 21 countries across the continent and Central America.

Alexis Schaefer, marketing and commercial director for the IPC, is expecting a number of broadcasters to create multi-platform options for viewers online, via apps or on linear television.

“Existing partners have recognised the demand and potential of para-sport by boosting their coverage, utilising new technologies and spreading it across platforms,” said Schafer.

He added: “Overall digital output is increasing, alongside our own social media coverage with even more behind the scenes content and real-time videos than ever before and a record 680 hours of live-streaming.”